Biography

Born: 24 April 1941 in Melbourne, Australia

Genre: Classical

Years Active: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s

The son of a guitarist, John Williams — not to be confused with the film composer of the same name — took his first guitar lessons at age seven from his own father. By the time he was 11, he'd been sent to study with Andres Segovia, and the following year, with the virtuoso's endorsement, he earned a scholarship to Siena's Accademia Musicale Chigiana. In 1956, Williams entered the Royal College of Music and took up piano and composition. In 1958, at age 17, he made his London concert...